'Such a big problem in Saskatchewan': Ceremony honours officers who target impaired drivers
Police officers from across the province received awards on Wednesday for their work in getting impaired drivers off the road.
MADD Canada presented the Van de Vorst Family Award to 69 officers from various agencies, including the University of Saskatchewan campus cops to Saskatoon police officers.
The awards recognized their outstanding work to take impaired drivers off roads and highways. Recipients in this ceremony were responsible for a taking a combined 1666 impaired drivers off the road.
Linda and Lou Van de Vorst lost their son and his family seven years ago and were on hand to recognize the recipients. The couple established the award five years ago for their son Jordan, his wife Chanda and their two young children Kamryn and Miguire, who were all killed by an impaired driver just north of Saskatoon in 2016.
“We want to encourage them to keep working at it. Impaired driving is such a big problem in Saskatchewan, and this award is a way to say thank you to them for doing the work they do,” Lou Van de Vorst told CTV News.
Silver, gold, and platinum level awards are given out based on the number of impaired drivers the officers have charged. The highest number of impaired drivers taken off the roads by one officer in the group went to a campus police officer who achieved 187 suspensions or charges alone.
“We feel this award is really important to award officers who do extraordinary work in suspending or charging impaired drivers either by alcohol or drugs,” Linda Van de Vorst said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.